Thomson Celebration Cruise Ship

7 readers found this review helpful

We went on the Celebration as a party of 7, Sept 2011 taking the Med and then on to the Holy Lands. I can only describe the ship as a "old tub" inside. We were on the lower deck. The carpets were stained and in some places patched as were the laundry room floor (different colours). The cabins was like something from your local hostel. Mouldy grout in the shower and shower curtain , overflowing toilets and foul smells during the night were common. The lift on our side of the boat forward, was out of use the whole 2 weeks. the ice cream machine out of order as well. It was like going back forty years. Entertainment was good. Staff were friendly and helpful. Food in the self service dining room was adequate but nothing else. The main restaurant served good food with good service and the premium restaurant (extra £19 per head) was another experience despite me having to see the ships doctor early the next day before we left for home. This was a day I will never forget as we had to vacate the cabin a few hours before we set off for home but the ship had trouble with the plumbing and none of the toilets were working. Not a ideal situation when you have the "Ganges revenge". However I overcome my fear of public toilets at the airport. I must admit that I was willing the holiday to come to a end towards the middle of the 2nd week. The drinks package again was fair except the choice of draft beer was Hienekin and John Smiths. All in all I would not recommend the Celebration in any shape or form. Grubby and grotty as my friend Pete described it

4 readers found this review helpful

We have just got back from a first experience at cruising, and it was a real eye-opener - an outstandingly happy experience. Looking back at our Thomson Satisfaction Survey, we had to rate the trip as excellent in all categories. All of the service was outstanding - exceptionally friendly and efficient, with a just rating for the cabin steward, waiters, variety and quality of food and entertainment all requiring a category higher than excellent.
The cabin was on the 8th floor and was roomy and comfortable - although the view was obscured by lifeboats. The lifts were sometimes a little eccentric showing a mind of their own when deciding which floor to visit! The trips were interesting, and complemented by a guest lecturer. The only two quibbles with the trips were the requirement to give one Egyptian pound to the attendant in the toilets at some of the trip destinations - a pot of small denomination Egyptian coins would have been useful to help trippers. The persistence of the street vendors became very irritating, and Cairo traffic and driving habits make the M25 seem like a joy and pleasure.

8 readers found this review helpful

Just come back from a cruise and stay. Cruise was Red Sea Magic - Jordon and Egypt. This is our fourth cruise (second on Celebration). In 2010 we went on the Turkey/Greece cruise which was really great. We didn't have to rely on tours and we were able to get off and walk into towns without any problems. The Red Sea Magic itinery was Jordon (Petra) which was great to see but required at least a three hour walk around the place which was very tiring (but had to be seen). The ship was then in Port for TWO days in Egypt so that guests could go on an overnight tour to Cairo etc and see the pyramids.
The guests who stayed on the ship were unable to get off as the Port was a Cement works and working dock. We were disappointed in this and it wasn't mentioned when we booked the cruise. The service and food on the Celebration was excellent. The staff were exceptionally hard working, friendly and helpful, as they were on our last cruise with Celebration in 2010. It is worth upgrading to All inclusive for £49 each - if you book early you often get this free. We usually pay for an upgraded deck and outside cabin. We will definitely book the Celebration again and perhaps consider a back to back around the Med. Not sure about the Tropical Cruise as there appears to be a lot of days at sea and we are more than happy with the Celebration's itinery around the Med. My husband won £250 on a "fruit machine" in the Ship's casino so that paid off my shopping in the duty free!
Maureen

5 readers found this review helpful

Ship needs a tidy, food was great, excursions were all well priced,BUT, the worst thing was you could never get a sun bed as people had the towels out before 8am to reserve them! The crew are supposed to keep a check on them and if they are ever left empty for more than 45 minutes they are supposed to pick up the belongings and take them to reception, I DID NOT SEE THIS HAPPEN ! very frustrating.

5 readers found this review helpful

just got back after a very enjoyable week's cruise , 1st stop was Alanya very nice relaxing day walking along the harbour and shops also went to the Cleopatra hotel where we had an amazing turkish bath,face mask and oil massage 50 euros per couple worth every euro 3rd day at sea fourth and fifth stopped in Alexandria and Port Said we did not do the trip to Cairo as it was too long we also did not venture out as we know how pushy the Egyptian people are we saw many get off only to return to the ship 5 mins later due to the hassle off them we enjoyed relaxing on the deck.We went on the Jerusalem and Bethlehem trip on the 5th day we highly recommend it Jerusalem is fantastic and we would love to return on the 6th day we visited King Herod's fort (remains) by cablecar very interesting followed by a visit to the dead sea including facilities of a spa hotel and buffet meal , we will allways remember floating in the dead sea . The ship was wonderful we had a deluxe cabin on the 6th deck which was very spacious and had a bath and powerful shower lovely hot water the bathroom could do with updating though , they are starting to change the carpets which had become frayed.The shows were of a very high standard every one of the resident singers/dancers had excellent voices.
Bram and Josh did an amazing job.We also enjoyed in the Horizon bar for a pre dinner and late drink listening to the duo the man sounded like Neil Diamond .
The food was very good much tastier than the food on the Destiny the year before.A few people became ill with norovirus it did not affect my husband and I as we sanatised our hands regularly.We would recommend this cruise.This is our 8th time of cruising our 3rd Thomson cruise.It was a constant 23 deg very sunny.The only downside was the Thomson flight cramped seating and no entertainment unless we paid £7 each for hand held movies.rip off.the flight seemed neverending.

9 readers found this review helpful

Have to agree with 90% of what BombayLiz wrote about the recent cruise on the Celebration. We have cruised with Thomson previously on the Spirit and we thought Spirit would be a hard act to follow - Celebration certainly matched it in most areas particularly the evening entertainemnt and shows. The performers really are very talented and versatile, not so sure about the Comedian, maybe that was because we had a couple of Comedians amongst us ! namely one Ritchie Rich and his lovley wife Liz. Since meeting up with them quite early into the cruise we had a whale of a time, my sides have only just stopped aching. We did not enjoy the towel art in our cabin like Liz did, nor the chocolates, maybe our Cabin boy was new? We did not take any of the Thomson organised trips, we like to do our own thing where possible. Beware of going ashore in Alexandria, unless you have brought waders I'd give it a miss. Maybe the right day to take a Thomson trip. We adored Ashdod, we felt the Thomson literature did not do the town justice. Ashdod boasts a beautiful sandy very clean beach and a very clean shopping mall. We took a local taxi, Uriel, Tel 9720545337549, his English is superb, he is from Ashdod therefore his local knowledge is also superb, would recommend you phone him and if he is already booked he will sort you out with another one of his taxi friends, all of which are licenced into the Port of Ashdod. Don't forget to tell him you will want a good leisurely float on the Dead Sea, not to mention a drink in the "Lowest Bar in the World". Travelling across the Sinai desert sighting beduions, their camps and their camels is just one of the treats on route to the Dead Sea. The trip in the taxi was a genuine camel moment sadly just a money making exercise for photo's alot of the time.
The Meridan Restaurant is supereb, the table service is 100%, the waiters are all lovely, we enjoyed the service from Iwan, Arnold and Made. Our thanks again for a lovely time boys.
Am already surfing the net for our next adventure.

6 readers found this review helpful

We had an amazing time on our cruise, just back this morning.
This was our first time and it won't be our last. We stopped at Alanya which was stunning, had a great day, took a Turkish Bath and relaxed.
The formal night was freat, my hubby didn't really want to wear a tux but went witht the flow and found many men wearing their tuxedos' too.
The staff in Hemmingways Bar were great, they remember your name and your drink and are always very attentive. Look out for Joel, he is so sweet and cheery.
The Maridian Restraunt is excellent, Arnold, Made and Iwan made a fab team, never letting your glass go empty and making sure you sit at a table of choice. Top guys all of them!!!
We didn't do any planned trips, however would recommend you do so in Alexandria or Port Said as there is little to do, you can't simply step off the boat and explore (unless you're a hero). At Ashdod were were so fortunate to come across a fantastic taxi driver who we booked to take us to Jerusalem his name in Urial and you can call him on 9720545337549 his English is amazing and his knowledge of the City of Jerusalem was great. He parked in the centre and guided us through giving us ample time to soak in the history of the area. Our tour with him was completed by a stop at the Dead Sea, again very interesting. He took the lead from us in terms of what we wanted to do, start out times and the time we wanted to return to the boat. He is registered to be in the port and due to the high security of this port he made things very easy and made you feel very safe and looked after. We paid him 250 euros which was split by 4 (We had the pleasure of meeting some great new Friends who we shared our trip with and joined for dinner most eveings. Thanks to Graham and Kate we never stopped laughing) so it was a more personal service. Not everyone will be able to book Urial so I would advise you to ring Urial anyway he will arrange things for you or go on the trip arranged on board.
The entertainment team were fantastic, very engaged and commited to making your holiday one to remember, and they succeeded.
Ali our cabin porter is super with the towel creations and just how clean and tidy he keeps your room - Thanks Ali.
If you can, go for the all inclusive drinks package because it is well worth it, no worries about your bill because there simply isn't one.
Like I said earlier, I got back this morning and already I am looking for another one, very friendly, very relaxed and very addictive.

12 readers found this review helpful

Just returned from the Sun & Sights cruise on the 9th November. Had a fantastic time. The flights were great and the transfers to and from the airport were all on time. There were Thomson Representatives to meet and greet and we felt we knew where we were going at all times.
The Celebration is an older ship and she is a little tired in places but is extremely well kept and very clean.
The food is good in the buffet and very good in the restaurant. My only complaint was that there is not enough choice for the late supper buffet just a burger and chips or pizza.
We had the all inclusive package and it was fantastic. I thought it would be just local drinks but it was nearly everything, in fact the only three things I could see which were not inclusive were Baileys, Cider and Guiness. We didnt even get charged for irish coffees although I think this might have been a mistake.
The ports of call were fantastic. I never thought Turkey was such a beautiful place, thoroughly enjoyed Kusidasi, Ephesus was amazing and is a must see if you visit Kusidasi. Bodrum once again di d not disappoint very picturesque and pretty. We also went to Crete, not impressed and do not need to go again.
Our cabin was very big and exceed our expectations Deck 8 Cabin No 065. The bed was very comfy and the cabin kept very clean, there is so much drawer space!!!
We met some lovely people on the cruise and now hopefully have new friends for life (Jean and Eric)!!
All in all had a great week for the price of the cruise.

4 readers found this review helpful

Just returned from our cruise. Fantastic time onboard. Everything perfect, lovely cabin on deck seven.Entertainment show team are the best, love them all. Made our holiday, so friendly and the shows , singing/dancing are first class best cruise we have been on, can,t wait till June when on board Celebration again.

13 readers found this review helpful

First ever cruise and definetly not the last ! The Celebration ship was great couldnt fault it yes will agree a little dated in areas but the service you get is first class the food is fantastic in all restaurants on board. We ate mostly in the meridian as this was waiter service the choice was good and quality of food cant be faulted. The Lido was buffet service and we had lunch in there loads of choice just fantastic. Cabins are ok we were on deck 8 and upgraded to delux room bathroom was a little small and needed updating but to be honest the rest of the ship made up for this with service and friendly faces every were made to feel very relaxed and never stressed out about nothing on this ship. The trips were good but long days on two of them but well worth it ! Would sujest the alexandria roman trip was a little pointless and wasted too much time at the first stop as nothing to see !Got dressed up on captains night and really enjoyed the evening gets you into cruising in a comfortable way.Would like to say dont go on this ship to watch your waistline as i put on nearly half a stone the food on here is excellent best 7 nights i ve had in years thanks to all the crew and definetly going to sail with the celebration again.